The Hero’s Journey

Mr. Pettine

August 6, 2015

Journal

Short Journal: What values does our society value in heroes? What do you value in a hero? What are the trials or feats that a hero must accomplish in order to become a hero? What is the difference between a hero and a celebrity?

The Hero’s Journey

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGV1BvnyvGo&feature=related

Hero’s Journey

Describes the typical adventure of the archetype known as the hero—a person who goes out and achieves great deeds on behalf of the group, tribe or civilization

Archetypes are recurring patterns of human behavior, symbolized by standard types of characters in movies and stories.

Characteristics of an Epic

A larger than life hero of national or historical importance

embarks on a journey, or quest, in search of something of value

Involvement of supernatural forces

A vast setting (including physical and special or spiritual worlds)

Has a basis in a culture or society

Glorification of the hero at the end

THE HERO’S JOURNEY 1. Ordinary World

2. Call to Adventure

ORDINARY WORLD

SPECIAL WORLD

3. Refusal of the

Call

4. Meeting the

Mentor

5. Crossing

The Threshold

6. Tests, Allies,

Enemies

7. Approach

8. Ordeal, Death & Rebirth

9. Reward, Seizing

the Sword

10. The Road

Back

11. Resurrection

12. Return with Elixir

Hero’s Journey - Stages

The Ordinary World—Hero is introduced sympathetically so the audience can identify with the situation or dilemma. Some kind of unease in the hero’s life is pulling in different directions and causing stress.

The Call to Adventure—Something shakes up the situation, either external pressures or from something within the hero, so the hero now faces the beginnings of change.

Hero’s Journey - Stages

Refusal of the Call—The hero fears the unknown and tries to avoid the challenge but only briefly.

Meeting with the Mentor—The hero encounters a seasoned traveler who gives him/her training, equipment, or advice for the journey. Or the hero reaches within to a source of courage or wisdom.

Hero’s Journey - Stages

Crossing the Threshold—The hero commits to leaving the ordinary world and enters a new region or realm with unfamiliar rules and/or values.

Tests, Allies, and Enemies—The hero is tested and sorts out allegiances in the Special World.

Approach—The hero and newfound allies (if any) prepare for the major challenge in the Special World.

Hero’s Journey - Stages

The Ordeal, Death & Rebirth—The hero enters a space in the Special world and confronts death or faces his or her greatest fear. Out of the moment of death comes a new life.

The Reward—The hero takes possession of the treasure won by facing death. There may be celebration, but there is also danger of losing the treasure again.

Hero’s Journey - Stages

The Road Back—The hero is driven to complete the adventure, leaving the Special world to be sure the treasure is brought home. Often a chase scene signals the urgency and danger of the mission.

The Resurrection—The hero is severely tested once more on the threshold of home. He or she is purified by a last sacrifice or another moment of death and rebirth but on a higher level.

Hero’s Journey - Stages

Return with the Elixir—The hero returns home or continues the journey but with some element of the treasure assuring the audience of the hero’s transformation.

History of the Hero’s Journey

Description of journey popularized by Joseph Campbell (1904-1987), professor of Comparative Mythology at Sarah Lawrence College

Theory also known as “monomyth”

Lion King and the Hero’s Journey

1.) Ordinary World – Simba is prince to King Mufasa. His society expects him to become “king.”

Lion King and Hero’s Journey

2.) Call to Adventure – Expectations of being a prince vs. desire to have adventure and power (“can’t wait to be king”)

Lion King and Hero’s Journey

Major Trial and Refusal of Call

Murder of father and fleeing the pridelands

Lion King and Hero’s Journey

Tests, Allies, Adventures

Simba shirks call to duty by living life of indulgence with Timon and Pumbaa

The “siren” of luxury

Lion King and Hero’s Journey

Mentor and Return (Approach) to Journey

Rafiki – Mentor as wielder of supernatural wisdom / power (also think Gandalf in Hobbit)

Lion King and Hero’s Journey

Seizing the Sword / The Road Back

Simba must battle Scar to return order to kingdom and assume rightful place

Resurrection / Return with Elixir

Simba defeats Scar, is recognized as king, and continues family line.

End of drought / rain

Post-Lesson Write

What are some other examples of the Hero’s Journey in popular culture? Write out and detail as many examples are you can find.